While developmentally appropriate, messy eating can be super frustrating for parents. Food waste and constant clean-ups may drive parents to spoon-feed their toddlers, but research shows  there are important benefits in having toddlers practice feeding themselves. Suggest to parents that they consider serving smaller portions at a time, introducing utensils, and encouraging messy play elsewhere—like in the sandbox or bathtub.

 https://youtu.be/rLMGbHNJDhM